Cirrus Aircraft Vision Jet to be Awarded the 2017 Collier Trophy
Cirrus Aircraft has been named as the recipient of the 2017 Robert J. Collier Trophy for “… designing, certifying, and entering-into-service the Vision Jet – the world’s first single-engine general aviation personal jet aircraft with a whole airframe parachute system.”
The Collier Trophy is awarded annually “…for the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, with respect to improving the performance, efficiency, and safety of air or space vehicles, the value of which has been thoroughly demonstrated by actual use during the preceding year.” At 106 years old, the Collier Trophy represents a timeline of air and space achievements, marking major events in the history of flight.
“At Cirrus Aircraft we are honored and humbled to be awarded the 2017 Collier Trophy and to even be mentioned among the giants in aviation and space research that have won before us,” said Dale Klapmeier, Cirrus Aircraft Co-founder and CEO. “The arrival of the Vision Jet has forever changed general aviation and personal transportation and the 2017 Collier Trophy is dedicated to all of our employees and partners who have been a part of the development, production and now delivery of this game-changing airplane. We will celebrate this great honor by continuing to focus on our core mission of creating safer aircraft, safer pilots and safer skies.”
“For more than a century, the Collier Trophy has recognized the greatest achievements in aviation in America,” stated Greg Principato, President and CEO of NAA. “By revolutionizing general and personal aviation, Cirrus Aircraft, with their Vision Jet, has added to a great and historic Collier legacy. We at the National Aeronautic Association congratulate them on their achievement and look forward to the presentation of the Collier Trophy on June 14th.”
The Collier Trophy Selection Committee, comprised of 25 aviation and aerospace professionals, convened on April 3, 2018 to hear presentations from nine nominees.
The Collier Trophy will be formally presented at the Annual Robert J. Collier Trophy Dinner on June 14, 2018 at the Ritz Carlton, Washington D.C.
